LeadingAge Georgia to Present Andrew J. Young with "Positive Aging Icon Image" Award Nov. 13 at Atlanta History Center

The Georgia Institute on Aging will present its 2016 Positive Aging Icon Image Award to Andrew J. Young on Nov. 13 at the Atlanta History Center. The Icon award recognizes Ambassador Young for his lifetime of vital contributions to society and his continued sharing of his knowledge and life experience with others locally and globally every day.

From Ambassador Young's early days as a pastor in Alabama and civil rights leader in the '60s to three-terms in Congress, a U.S. Ambassadorship, and two terms as Mayor of Atlanta, Young at age 84 continues to serve others with the same passion and vigor he has demonstrated for over 60 years. His life philosophy supports his sustained stamina: "Change comes little by little. Nothing worthwhile can happen in one generation," Ambassador Young said.

The public is invited to the 6th Annual Profiles of Positive Aging Awards Gala to honor Ambassador Young and hear about his latest initiatives, the Making of Modern Atlanta and an Atlanta-South Africa business exchange. Ambassador Young will also share his views on aging, which he says don't necessarily identify with the concept of retiring as long as he has breath. Walter Coffey, president and chief executive officer of LeadingAge Georgia, will facilitate a question and answer session with the ambassador following his remarks.

The gala will also celebrate 20 of Georgia's elders from all walks of life who exhibit the power of positive aging in their daily lives. Enjoy hors d'oeuvres while you engage in roundtable discussions with this year's Positive Aging honorees such as Francie Ross (93) of St. Anne's Terrace in Atlanta who hit her second hole-in-one at age 88; Gracie Phillips (82) of Lenbrook in Buckhead who served in government for years and was inducted into the YWCA Academy of Women Achievers; and Carolyn Hartfield (68), representing AARP, who is a National Senior Olympian and founder of OPALS (Older People With Active Lifestyle).

"The gala is an opportunity to experience a living gallery of elders currently engaged in living a positive lifestyle, which in turn, inspires everyone around them," said Jacquelyn Thornton, senior vice president of LeadingAge Georgia. "Our organization strives to dispel the negative stereotypes of aging and promote a culture of positivity and inclusion. Our members serve Georgia's elders with a person-centered approach that honors the life and wisdom of each elder."

LeadingAge Georgia is the statewide association for over 170 not-for-profit and other mission-driven organizations dedicated to providing quality housing, health care and community-based services for Georgia's elders. Its educational arm, the Georgia Institute on Aging, hosts the annual awards gala to raise awareness for quality elder care and to fund year-round educational opportunities for paraprofessionals, professionals, and family members who provide care for seniors.

The public is invited to attend the gala and can register here on LeadingAge Georgia's website.

For more information, please contact Jacquelyn Thornton of LeadingAge Georgia at 404-889-8536 or jthornton@leadingagega.org.